nicetie

Hi, My roomate's computer crashes immediately after plugging anything into the USB ports... The BSOD message reads:
STOP: 0x0000007E (0xC0000005, 0xF8A368E2, 0xF8A367EC, 0xF8A364E8)
After doing some research, I have concluded that it is probably a RAM problem. However that doesn't really make sense to me, so if you guys have any other ideas please help.
Thanks

Laptoper

Brand, Mod # lappy

Plugging the device while the lappy is of or on.

nicetie

Gateway 6010GZ, I've tried plugging it in on and off with the same results...

Laptoper

0x0000007E errors can be cause by faulty drivers, etc.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330182

This isn't your lappy therefore suggesting fix's dosn't really make sinse, as your roommate may have other usb devices connected with drivers and you installed another device and the drivers did not properly install.

USB divices should be pluged in with the lappy powered off.

nicetie

Actually, I didn't install anything... My roomate asked me for help because he doesn't know what he's doing.

Laptoper

Open device manager are there yellow ? under USB section.

nicetie

Nope, they all say "This device is functioning properly"

Tumbleweed36

Is this XP or Vista on his lappy? If XP, has he installed SP2? If not, he should. Has he installed the chipset drivers from the motherboard disk? If not, he should. Report back and we can go from that point to try and assist.

nicetie

XP SP3... He said he's had it since 2005 so I assume he hasn't done anything to it since then... Oh, he did mention that he tried to install a webcam and that's when it started happening. I have uninstalled the programs that came with it but it still crashes...

Tumbleweed36

Have you tried system restore to a point before you had this issue?

nicetie

Nope, it's disabled... I have suggested that he purchase a newer laptop, but if this one can be fixed that would be better.

Laptoper

Does it BSOD in all usb ports?

nicetie

Yes, and with all usb devices

Tumbleweed36

If this were my rig, I would uninstall all of them and let them reinstall.

You can do this by this method:

• Start
  
  
• Control Panel
  
  
• System
  
  
• Hardware
  
  
• Device Manager
  
  
• View
  
  
• Show Hidden Devices
  
  
• Scroll down to the USB area and open it with (+)
  
  
• Right click on each item and Uninstall all that you have that option
  
  
• Reboot and let the computer find them and then test it again

.

nicetie

I tried it and it still crashes... Is there a remote chance that this is a corrupt memory problem??

Tumbleweed36

One never knows for sure, take one stick out and try it...if that doesn't help, then try the other stick and that should tell us something if you get the same result. If you can get it going, then try Memtest to see what errors the memory might have:

Run Memtest86 on each stick of RAM. When errors are reported on a particular module, that normally indicates that specif module is likely bad. You need to create a bootable floppy or bootable CD to run Memtest86. Here are Memtest Installation instructions. I suggest that you run a minimum of 5 passes on each stick that is installed.


.

Tumbleweed36

Another option:

Have you considered clearing the CMOS to see if that helps.

Another option:

Does he have the original OS disks? If so, try a repair install to make sure something is not corrupted in the way the system perceives things.

Laptoper

Open dos promtp type in "sfc /scannow".

nicetie

I've tried all those things and nothing seems to be out of the ordinary, except for the crashing lol... I've suggested that he either reinstall windows or just deal with it until he gets another laptop... Thanks for the help.